Author: GCI Media

Hillary Irusta serves as a pastoral resident in GCI’s Greensboro, North Carolina church, which is pastored by her father, Joel Irusta.

Hillary felt God’s presence and involvement in her life at age five. “My family was in a terrible car accident. Hit from behind on the freeway by an eighteen-wheeler, we rolled back over front six times across all lanes of traffic. An EMS team saw the accident and told us afterwards that they were positive everyone inside would be dead. All four of us walked away with minor injuries. I slipped out of my seat belt, and told my father that an angel had held on to me and stood me up once it was over. The experience instilled in me a sense of God’s active, loving involvement in my life and in the lives of those I loved as well as a deeply ingrained sense of purpose for life.”

Hillary grew up in Archdale, North Carolina, “in the backyard of Greensboro and High Point. What brought me here today is a loving and supportive family, a strong will and independent spirit, an open mind and a hospitable heart, a strong ethical center, a willingness to question and struggle, a longing for adventure, friends who challenge and embrace me, communities that nurture me, acquaintances that challenge me, and God’s grace and compassion to vivify, sustain and call me onto the path of transformation.”

Growing up in GCI, Hillary became aware of the GCI Intern Program just as she was graduating from college. “I was preparing for my Master of Divinity studies and discerning ways to follow a calling into ministry. The door was open and the opportunity was surrounded by peace and excitement.” Hillary interned with her father, pastor Joel Irusta. She noted that the success of the program was largely due to “a congregation that believed in me, supported me, nurtured me and affirmed my calling.” After the internship was over, Hillary was ordained an elder. “I was installed as associate pastor at Centered Church, Greensboro, North Carolina, on March 17, 2013 (St. Patrick’s Day) after interning there since January 2011.”

After earning her Master of Divinity degree, Hillary had the opportunity to take some time off. “I had the chance of a lifetime to travel to Kona, Hawaii, this past summer! I snorkeled with sea turtles, hiked a volcano and explored the rich history and culture of the island of Hawaii.”

“Learning to be patient with persons and systems,” was Hillary’s greatest challenge during her internship. What she enjoyed the most was, “inviting everyone to God’s table and retelling the story of Christ’s life, death and resurrection every week during Communion.” This ties in with what she loves most about GCI: “The emphasis on God’s grace.”

Hillary’s passion is knowing her calling. “I’m called into the heart of the Beloved, to live a life pursuing wholeness for myself, neighbors and creation while equipping the church for acts of radical hospitality, justice and compassion in the world.”

Hillary says her most memorable moment was “baptizing my good friend’s newborn baby a couple weeks after my ordination.”

When asked what advice she would give to someone considering GCI’s Intern Program, Hillary said this: “Spend serious time discerning your calling, reflecting on your story and the things that give you life. Listen for God’s guidance and expand your theological, biblical and cultural understanding to discover hidden aspects of your calling and new possibilities for ministry.”

Steve Dobritch, pastoral resident in GCI’s Canfield, Ohio, church, grew up near Cincinnati but moved a lot. “My father, being a minister, was involved in more churches than I can remember. I had the opportunity to be a part of many congregations around the Ohio-Pennsylvania area. I’ve been in our Canfield church (near Youngstown, Ohio), for the last 20 years.” Steve said that being a “pastor’s kid” gave him unique experiences. “While it was sad to leave friends and change schools growing up, it was also exciting to experience all of the different churches and communities over the years.”

Growing up in a pastor’s home influenced Steve’s decision to be actively involved in ministry for the past 12 years. Much of that ministry has involved one of the loves of his life: “Music is my favorite thing in the world. When we worship—whether inside or outside the church—music transcends the normal and accentuates the spiritual. For me, music makes the worship experience one of the most important parts of my relationship with God.”

It was in a GCI camp that Steve first heard about GCI’s intern program and he sent in an application. ”In January 2012 I became an intern under the direction of my father John Dobritch, who pastors our Canfield church. Over the years while volunteering in that congregation, I realized a calling to ministry. The moment I chose to enter the intern program was the moment I knew that I wanted to pursue pastoral ministry as my vocation. I have never seen something so simple become so difficult, and at the same time, so rewarding. Ministry is what gets me excited about getting out of bed every day.”

Steve was in the intern program for two years. “The strengths of my experience in the program were the opportunities to work in ministry leadership in youth and worship ministry. The main challenges I experienced were the expectations I placed on myself. It’s easy for me to dwell on the professional aspects of ministry and get caught up in reaching goals I set for myself instead of focusing on where God has me and dealing with the growth he intends for me.” Steve recalls his first sermon as being one of his most memorable experiences. “It was the most terrifying and exhilarating moment of my life.”

After completing the intern program, Steve began serving alongside his dad as a pastoral resident in the Canfield church. “The thing I enjoy most about the residency program is the people involved in it. I have had more support in the church while being a pastoral resident than I could ever have imagined. Countless people have been there for me and continue to support me as I continue to grow in my identity as a pastoral leader in the church.”

When asked about being part of GCI, Steve says he loves our history. “I can’t think of another group of people who have gone through the kind of evolution we have. To see where we are and how far we have come is staggering, in a good way. I think we understand just how blessed we are because we can look back.”

Steve said he feels closest to God when going through a trial. “There are moments when I realize I need more than what I can give and I have to rely on the strength God gives me. While it can be humbling, it also allows me to remember the importance of the role God has in my life.”

Advice Steve would give to someone considering the intern program? “It might get uncomfortable and it will definitely be humbling, but it will change who you are in the best way possible.”

For information about the GCI intern program, go to www.gci.org/internprogram.